6 Reasons to Hire Deaf Employees

Applying for jobs can be a test of nerves. Each resume must be tailored and each cover letter is a carefully crafted sales pitch. We highlight our skills and professional experience while explaining why we’d be a great fit for the organization. On employment applications, we are asked to expose so much of ourselves, yet we are expected to keep the most important details private.

A recent study published in the New York Times revealed that employers were 34% less likely to hire an experienced job candidate with a disability, and 15% less likely to hire a novice candidate with a disability. This study suggests what deaf people already know: even in our modern era, when organizations claim to value diversity, hiring discrimination persists as a sad reality.

Often, employers do not understand how to accommodate people with different abilities, fearing (incorrectly) that it will be costly or complicated. More importantly, they do not understand the value that people who are deaf bring to the team. Below are just a few of the many, many excellent reasons to include people who are deaf/ hard of hearing in any organization.

Adaptable

People who are deaf spend much of their lives finding ways to adapt within hearing culture. Because of this, deaf employees may exhibit impressive patience and flexibility in the face of a challenge.

Mediators

People who are deaf become talented at bridging communication and cultural gaps in everyday situations. This can translate into strong problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Perspective

Deaf employees bring a unique perspective to the team. Because their background and life experiences are inevitably different than their hearing colleagues’, an individual who is deaf/HoH might suggest services, features, or marketing ideas that other employees would never have even considered.

Safe and Reliable

Studies have shown that workers with disabilities are viewed as dependable, loyal, and responsible. They also tend to have overall positive job performance ratings. One study found that deaf/ HoH employees rank among the highest safety ratings in the workforce!

Hard Workers

Since deaf job candidates often face discriminatory hiring practices, it can be a challenge just to get a foot in the door. Deaf employees tend to work hard to secure their position and seek opportunities for career advancement.

Synergy

A workplace that employs deaf individuals can enrich the culture of their entire organization! Adding diversity provides all employees the opportunity to work on effective communication and cooperation skills, while challenging people to explore new perspectives. With proper cultural competency training, each individual in an organization can learn to become more compassionate, open minded, and willing to go the extra mile for the team.

Common fears about hiring people who are deaf are usually unfounded. Those worried about cost should know that most accommodations cost less than $500. The Job Accommodation Network provides some great examples of affordable accommodations that allow organizations to hire and retain valuable deaf/ HoH employees, and there are tax benefits available to help businesses ensure ADA compliance.

For employers who have questions about integrating a deaf individual into the workplace, there are plenty of resources available. Ultimately, the best way to figure out what accommodations a deaf person needs and prefers is to simply ask them! Employers should ensure that they treat deaf employees with respect, communicate with them as professional colleagues, and don’t leave them out of work-related social situations (such as lunches and parties). Managers will need a basic foundation of knowledge about deafness and deaf communication to help everyone develop a comfortable working dynamic.

As our society increasingly celebrates diversity, businesses that do not adapt inclusive hiring policies are sure to fall out of favor. By denying qualified deaf individuals job opportunities, employers are also refusing their current employees the opportunity to learn and grow in a multicultural work environment. Additionally, the employee profile of a business sends a subtle message to potential clients and customers about an organization’s fundamental values.

Before hiring managers start calculating the cost of accessibility, they ought to consider the priceless advantage of a diverse workforce. Deaf individuals deserve an equal chance to succeed in any field they choose. Creating a deaf-friendly workplace enhances many people’s lives, and brings us one step closer to a deaf-friendly world. It’s progressive, it’s equality, and it’s the right thing to do.

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I have worked with LC Interpreting Service on many occasions and am always impressed with their customer service, professionalism and care. They are always willing to answer questions from people and organizations at various stages of working with ASL and ASL interpreters and the interpreters are always prompt, knowledgable and friendly.read more

Lydia and her team provided amazing services when I attended a programming boot camp. They did their best to make sure that the interpreters provided were the best fit for my classes and it has made a huge difference. When I wasn’t sure how to assert my right to accessibility, they were there to help me and it has set me up in a better place for the future to know how to assert my rights as a deaf consumer. Thank you!read more

LCIS interpreting services are up to par! Respectful and fun interpreters who understand appropriate boundaries while working (ex: no paternalistic attitude). Their skills are amazing- very fluent and articulate. I know I can count on their interpreters for important events, such as attending a huge mental health conference, providing presentations, participating in group meetings at work, and going to doctoral-level job interviews. FIVE FULL STARS.read more

[PROFESSIONAL. AUTHENTIC. SKILLED. PASSIONATE] LC Interpreting Services has presented these four qualities that other interpreting services may not fulfill. I am beyond inspired to know how dedicated Lydia is to increase accessibility, communication, and independence in Deaf community who she loves and cherishes. Her team are sharp, proficient, and valuable! It's a top-notch agency where the Deaf customers are highly likely find the feels of being at home and comfort to express through her team.read more

St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn uses LC Interpreting Service on a regular basis for our ASL interpreting needs. This agency, their office staff and their interpreters are always professional, knowledgeable and skilled. Contacting the agency is easy, for information, questions or scheduling and their website is user friendly as well. A great working relationship is fostered from both sides. Great people, great agency!read more

Amazing Experience. The interpreting service was amazing. I was able to get 100% information from the Landmark Forum. The interpreters always make sure me and other deaf people are following on what is happening in the forum. Highly recommend to have this agency interpreting for any event in the future.read more

Exceptional. Lydia and her team are prompt, respectful, and fully committed to bringing our project to life for our deaf and hard of hearing audience. The most personalized and thoughtful customer service I've ever encountered in this industry.read more

Had a great experience with LC. They were professional, reliable, and sent a highly qualified interpreter. They listened to our needs and were able to select an interpreter who was a great match for our child.read more

Lydia was consistently excellent and very professional with her translation. We were conducting a technical class, and she worked ahead of time ensure she knew any specific technical terms, and maintained consistency with other translators. With her help we were able to build a strong deaf + hearing student community, and increase interactions between students. I would absolutely hire her again at the drop of a hat!read more

Lydia Callis and her company are among the best in the profession. Knowledgeable, smart, professional, courteous, and a pleasure to work with. The professional school I work for requires top notch interpreters for students to get thorough a rigorous program and law students demand high quality services. Whether it's a strictly doctrinal class or a seminar with a lot of class participation, Lydia provides the best person for the job. I am confident when Lydia is on the job that the students are being served well. read more

Lydia was a great ASL-interpreter for my Native Creative Concierge clients. She was very professional but also easy-going and fun! Even when things didn't go as planned (good and "bad") she went with the flow.
The good? She interpreted for a German slam poet who was being interviewed for a documentary. The bad? She stayed with my group and I for an extra hour when time ran over.
When I worked with her, she also had a student with her and that was a tremendous help to the group. Lydia is still a student in some ways -- she expressed genuine interest in learning about me and NYC as I led my group -- always learning, I think that can only make someone a better teacher. I even picked up a few signs by the end of our time together.
My clients were very pleased with her services. Her genuine interest in my clients and not only "providing a service" was not lost on any of us. I would definitely recommend or refer future hearing-impaired clients to Lydia for ASL interpreting services. read more